Category Archives: UN Publications

“Climate-Smart Agriculture Sourcebook Summary – Second edition.”
This booklet presents a summary of the contents of the second edition of the Climate-Smart Agriculture Sourcebook. The landscape of international climate action has changed considerably since FAO introduced the concept of climate-smart agriculture (CSA). In order to implement the 2030 Agenda, FAO member states have endorsed five principles of sustainable food and agriculture. Furthermore, to address the specific challenges climate change poses to sustainable food and agriculture, FAO promotes CSA as an approach that can transform and reorient agricultural systems to effectively support development and ensure food security in a changing climate. Still, the world’s agricultural ecosystems will not be able to deliver the 50 percent increase in demand for food and other agricultural products by 2050, if current unsustainable natural resource management practices are maintained.Bibliographic info:
Publisher: FAO
ISBN: 978-92-5-109988-9
pp. 47

“A Familiar Face: Violence in the lives of children and adolescents.”
All children have the right to be protected from violence inflicted on them by anyone in their lives. Yet violence against children is often rationalized as necessary or inevitable. The report uses the most current data to shed light on four specific forms of violence: violent discipline and exposure to domestic abuse during early childhood; violence at school; violent deaths among adolescents; and sexual violence in childhood and adolescence. The statistics reveal that children experience violence across all stages of childhood, in diverse settings, and often at the hands of the trusted individuals with whom they interact daily.Bibliographic info:
Publisher: UNICEF
ISBN: 978-92-806-4919-2
pp. 97

“World Malaria Report 2017.”
The 2017 World malaria report presents a comprehensive state of play in global progress in the fight against malaria up to the end of 2016. It tracks progress in investments in malaria programmes & research, malaria prevention, diagnosis and treatment, surveillance, trends in malaria disease burden, malaria elimination, and threats in tackling malaria and safeguarding the investments made. Achieving SDG Target 3.3 by 2030 is interpreted as the attainment of the GTS and AIM targets. The primary sources of information for this year’s edition of the World malaria report are reports from 94 countries.Bibliographic info:
Publisher: WHO
ISBN: 978-92-4-156552-3
pp. 160

“Levels and Trends in Child Mortality.”
A new report from UNICEF and its partners in the Inter-Agency Group for Child Mortality Estimation (IGME), Levels and Trends in Child Mortality: Report 2017, shows the full scope of child and newborn mortality across the world. This report presents the group’s latest estimates of under-five, infant and neonatal mortality up to 2016, and assesses progress at the country, regional and global levels. In addition to global estimates for under-five, infant and newborn mortality, the report for the first time contains estimates on mortality among children aged 5-14.Bibliographic info:
Publisher: UNESCO
pp. 40

“Towards a pollution-free planet.”
Outlining the many ways in which the world can move to a healthier, more sustainable way of living, UN Environment launched “Towards a pollution-free planet”, a report that serves as a call to action to governments, businesses, local authorities, civil society and individuals to prevent and reduce pollution, and clean up the planet. The report comes ahead of the United Nations Environment Assembly, to be held on 4-6 December 2017 in Nairobi, Kenya under the overarching theme of pollution.Bibliographic info:
Publisher: UNEP
ISBN: 978-92-807-3669-4
pp.123

“Manila Earthquake: Pre-Crisis Information Mapping Survey and Consultation.”
The general objective of the pre-crisis information mapping survey and consultation is to better understand and validate information on the vulnerabilities, capacities, and preferences on the type of relief and humanitarian assistance that the community may need once a 7.2 magnitude earthquake hits Manila. Complementing the earthquake preparedness initiatives by the identified local government, at-risk communities, and other non-government organizations in Metro Manila, the mapping and consultation exercise analyzed the actual needs of the most vulnerable, marginalized, less visible, and less vocal members of the at-risk communities.Bibliographic info:
Publisher: OCHA
pp.53

“Early Moments Matter for Every Child.”
This new global report on early childhood development, shows that the period from conception to the start of school opens a critical and singular window of opportunity to shape the development of a child’s brain. Unfortunately, many millions of children around the world are deprived of the ingredients that foster optimal brain development. But it is time to do more. It is time to pick up the pace of progress and transform our knowledge about early childhood development into investments and interventions that support families, communities and nations.Bibliographic info:
Publisher: UNICEF
ISBN: 9 789280 649017
pp. 84

“Trade and Development Report 2017.”
The Trade and Development Report 2017 argues that now is the ideal time to crowd in private investment with the help of a concerted fiscal push – a global new deal – to get the growth engines revving again, and at the same time help rebalance economies and societies that, after three decades of hyperglobalization, are seriously out of kilter. However, in today’s world of mobile finance and liberalized economic policies, no country can do this on its own without risking capital flight, a currency collapse and the threat of a deflationary spiral. What is needed, therefore, is a globally coordinated strategy of expansion led by increased public expenditures, with all countries being offered the opportunity of benefiting from a simultaneous boost to their domestic and external markets.Bibliographic info:
Publisher: UNCTAD
ISBN: 978-92-1-112913-7
pp.169

“Sustainable Energy for the Implementation of the SDGs and the Paris Agreement.” VEF Forum 2017
The fifth Vienna Energy Forum (VEF) 2017 was held from 9 to 12 May, 2017. The thematic focus of the Forum was “Sustainable Energy for the Implementation of the SDGs and the Paris Agreement”, with an emphasis on discussing and highlighting the importance of the linkages between climate and development as well as the synergies among the SDGs, and the importance of joint and integrated approaches for a successful implementation. The Forum also explored the role of innovation in opening up new avenues for achieving SDG 7 “Ensure access to affordable, reliable, sustainable and modern energy for all” and related SDGs.Bibliographic info:
Publisher: UNIDO
pp. 32

“Enhancing the Understanding of the Foreign Terrorist Fighters Phenomenon in Syria.”
During the fourth biennial review of the Global Counter – Terrorism Strategy held in September 2014, Member States expressed concern at the growing phenomenon of Foreign Terrorist Fighters (FTFs) in Syria. As a result, the Secretary – General announced that the United Nations Centre for Counter – Terrorism (UNCCT) would, in cooperation with those Member States that wished to participate, gather information on the motivation of FTF s through direct interviews of returnees. By analysis of the results, the Secretary – General aimed to provide Member States with a stronger knowledge base from which to understand the phenomenon of FTFs, assess the risks they posed, and develop effective responses.Bibliographic info:
Publisher: UNOCT
pp. 58

“State of the Least Developed Countries 2017.”
The world’s 47 Least Developed Countries (LDCs) are facing significant challenges in implementing the Istanbul Programme of Action (IPoA) and the Sustainable Development Goals, according to the latest edition of the State of the Least Developed Countries report by the United Nations Office of the High Representative for the Least Developed Countries, Landlocked Developing Countries and Small Island Developing States (UN-OHRLLS). The fourth edition of the report – launched today in New York – focuses on the financing of the Istanbul Programme of Action (IPoA) and the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) for the LDCs.Bibliographic info:
Publisher: UN-OHRLLS
pp. 85

“Progress on Drinking Water, Sanitation and Hygiene 2017.”
The WHO/UNICEF Joint Monitoring Programme for Water Supply, Sanitation and Hygiene (JMP) has produced regular estimates of global progress on drinking water, sanitation and hygiene (WASH) since 1990. This 2017 update is the most comprehensive assessment to date and establishes the first global baseline estimates for SDG targets 6.1 and 6.2.Bibliographic info:
Publisher: WHO / UNICEF
pp. 59

“Voluntary Guidelines on National Forest Monitoring.”
Understanding forest resources and their changes is key to national and international environmental and developmental policy processes. The guidelines at hand draw on the rich experiences and lessons learned from FAO member countries and FAO national forest monitoring projects and initiatives. This document is intended as a technical reference for governmental bodies in charge of forest monitoring, educational and research institutions, the public and private sectors, and members of civil society concerned with national forest monitoring.Bibliographic info:
Publisher: FAO
ISBN: 978-92-5-109619-2
pp. 61

“10 Solutions to Help Meet the SDGs in Asia and the Pacific.”
This is a story of people and countries already on the way towards realizing the promises of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and its 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Progress has of course not come without challenges: a widening divide between the wealthiest and poorest people, consumption and production patterns that threaten people and the environment, and the world’s greatest vulnerability to natural disasters. This publication shows how transformation can work. The stories on the following pages have all yielded lasting, far-reaching results, and accelerated early progress on multiple SDGs.Bibliographic info:
Publisher: UNDP
pp.40

“Myth-busting? Confronting Six Common Perceptions about Unconditional Cash Transfers as a Poverty Reduction Strategy in Africa.”
This paper summarizes evidence on six perceptions associated with cash transfer programming, using eight rigorous evaluations conducted on large-scale government unconditional cash transfers in sub-Saharan Africa, under the Transfer Project. Specifically, we investigate if transfers: 1) induce higher spending on alcohol or tobacco; 2) are fully consumed (rather than invested); 3) create dependency (reduce participation in productive activities); 4) increase fertility; 5) lead to negative community-level economic impacts (including price distortion and inflation), and 6) are fiscally unsustainable. We present evidence refuting each claim, leading to the conclusion that these perceptions – insofar as they are utilized in policy debates – undercut potential improvements in well-being and livelihood strengthening among the poor, which these programs can bring about in sub-Saharan Africa, and globally. We conclude by underscoring outstanding research gaps and policy implications for the continued expansion of unconditional cash transfers in the region and beyond.Bibliographic info:
Publisher: Unicef
eISSN: 2520-6796
pp. 40

“Economic and Social Survey of Asia and the Pacific 2017.”
The developing economies of the Asian and Pacific region currently account for about a third of the world’s output. But, a number of challenges and risks have become apparent. The benefits of economic expansion have accrued relatively less to the poor. Additionally, expansion of decent jobs continues to remain a challenge, and the region currently is falling behind the rest of the world in terms of social protection financing and coverage. Moreover, economic growth has come at a steep environmental cost. In the Survey for 2017, a proactive fiscal policy is advocated that could help address these challenges through productive investments in such areas as infrastructure, social protection and resource efficiency. The importance of effective governance is also highlighted as it affects fiscal management.Bibliographic info:
Publisher: ESCAP
ISBN: 978-92-1-060367-6
pp.130

“Iraq Crisis Response and Resilience Programme – Annual Report 2016.”
Since the Syrian war began about 250,000 refugees have crossed into Iraq. The conflict with the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant (ISIL) has also forced 3.3 million Iraqis to leave their homes. Nearly a third of the Iraqi population needs humanitarian aid. This 2016 annual report details the work, goals and achievements of the ICRRP (Iraq Crisis Response and Resilience Programme) , which has a five strand approach and focuses its work on a) improved crisis response, b) improved basic services, c) improved livelihoods, d) protection of the vulnerable groups, and e) social cohesion.Bibliographic info:
Publisher: UNDP
pp.38

“Data for Children Strategic Framework.”
Effective use of data can help us not just track results for children, but also shape those results with better insights about what’s working, what’s not, which children are thriving and which are being left behind. The framework begins with UNICEF’s approach to data work: laying out the necessity of a demand-driven model that maintains an appropriate balance between demand for, supply and use of data. It also provides an outline of the changes that UNICEF needs to make in the coming years. The document concludes with key issues that UNICEF country offices should consider in plotting their own data investments in the coming years.Bibliographic info:
Publisher: UNICEF
pp.17

“At the root of exodus: Food security, conflict and international migration.”
International migration reached a total of 244 million individuals in 2015 alone. Forced displacement has also reached a record high, with 65.3 million individuals displaced worldwide by the end of 2015. The study found out that countries with the highest level of food insecurity, coupled with armed conflict, have the highest outward migration of refugees. The report estimates that refugee outflows per 1000 population increase by 0.4 percent for each additional year of conflict, and increase by 1.9 percent for each percentage increase of food insecurity. Food insecurity was also shown as a significant determinant of the incidence and intensity of armed conflict.Bibliographic info:
Publisher: WFP
pp. 76

“Asia-Pacific countries with special needs development report 2017.”
Thirty-six economies in the Asia-Pacific region are least developed countries, landlocked developing countries or Small Island developing States. This report highlights the importance of infrastructure in achieving inclusive growth and sustainable development, and analyses the scale of infrastructure deficits and associated financing requirements in these countries. It focuses on four sectors of physical infrastructure that are particularly important to development: transport; energy; information and communications technology (ICT) and water supply and sanitation, as infrastructure development in these sectors has direct implications for economic activities, social development and environmental sustainability.Bibliographic info:
Publisher: ESCAP
ISBN: 978-92-1-060456-7
pp.88

“Employer-migrant worker relationships in the Middle East: Exploring scope for internal labour market mobility and fair migration.”
This paper offers a way of analyzing the employer-migrant worker relationship under the kafala sponsorship system. It argues that reforming the sponsorship systems in a way which disassociates a worker’s immigration status from their employer’s control, and enables a migrant worker to resign or terminate his/ her employment contract by giving reasonable notice and without losing valid immigration status, can have significant economic, social and administrative benefits. The paper also presents a series of suggested evidence-based policy measures for reform of current sponsorship systems, which may enhance internal labour market mobility and promote fair migration.Bibliographic info:
Publisher: ILO
ISBN: 9789221306771
pp.26

“Counting pennies: A review of official development assistance to end violence against children.”
Every child deserves to grow up in a safe, peaceful, nurturing and enabling environment. But this is not the case for millions of children across the world that experience violence every day. Violence against children costs up to US$7 trillion a year. This report estimates that in 2015, US$238 million was spent on projects that fully address violence against children. The main recommendation from this study is for individual donors to systematically track spending to end violence against children as a separate category.Bibliographic info:
Publisher: UNICEF/UNSRSGVAC
pp.39

“IOM Middle East and North Africa Regional Strategy 2017–2020.”
In its 2017‒2020 Strategy for MENA, IOM follows the principles and objectives of the Migration Governance Framework, which was endorsed by IOM Member States in 2015.3 The present document also outlines sub-regional priorities for North Africa, the Mashreq and the Gulf countries. Lastly, the strategy specifies crosscutting issues and institutional principles that IOM adheres to throughout its work to maximize organizational effectiveness.Bibliographic info:
Publisher: IOM
pp.28

“Understanding masculinities: Results from The International Men and Gender Equality Survey.”
How are men of all ages, and younger men compared to older men, reacting to the gradual but significant improvement in the position of women and girls in the region? The study examines men’s – and women’s – attitudes and practices related to a range of key issues, including support for gender equality, support for women’s rights policies, household decision-making, use of various forms of gender-based violence in the Middle East and North Africa.SUMMARYBibliographic info:
Publisher: UN Women
pp.29

“The impact of disasters on agriculture: Addressing the information gap.”
In developing countries, agriculture absorbs 23 percent of the total damage and losses. In between 2005 and 2014, approximately USD 93 billion was lost in crop and livestock production due to natural hazards and disasters in developing countries. This affects food security and causes additional disruptions throughout the value chains. A thorough analysis of existing trends in agricultural production and related distortions in production volumes and patterns due to disasters is a key starting point. The report also highlighted the need for deeper analysis, more thorough data and the construction of a coherent information system.Bibliographic info:
Publisher: FAO
pp.28

“Jobs Make the Difference – Expanding Economic Opportunities for Syrian Refugees and Host Communities.”
More than 11 million Syrians have been displaced. Host communities throughout the region and within Syria have been generous in their support for refugees and internally displaced people. For example, under the umbrella of P4P, Germany supported the creation of more than 60,000 jobs in the region during 2016. These projects enable both refugees and host communities to find employment. The report provides pragmatic, empirically grounded evidence to support efforts by the three key actors—host nations, the international donor community and the private sector—in achieving the ambitious goal of creating 1.1 million new jobs by 2018. The report also simultaneously acknowledges the responsibility partners have in taking measures now to mitigate dangerous survival strategies for the most vulnerable.Bibliographic info:
Publisher: WFP/ILO/UNDP
ISBN: 978 921 126423 4
pp:132

“Global citizenship education: topics and learning objectives.”
UNESCO has produced the Global Citizenship Education: Topics and Learning Objectives following the global dialogue between decision-makers, leading experts and innovative practitioners to offer pedagogical guidance on the implementation of GCED.Bibliographic info:
Publisher: UNESCO
ISBN: 978-92-3-100102-4
pp:74

“Privacy, Free Expression and Transparency.”
This issue is the seventh edition of UNESCO’s flagship series of publications of Internet Freedom. This publication explores these issues in the context of UNESCO’s new approach to Internet issues. The approach was adopted by our 195 Member States in November 2015, and is based on the Outcome Document of an earlier conference called CONNECTing the Dots. The study analyses the legal framework, current mechanisms for balancing rights, and specific issues, cases and trends. It also covered are the interplay and interactions between multiple players—e.g. the State agents, Internet users, ICT companies, civil society organizations, the judiciary and the security services.Bibliographic info:
Publisher: UNESCO
ISBN: ISBN 978-92-3-100188-8
pp: 139

“DPA 2016 Annual Report: Multi-Year Appeal.”
The Multi-Year Appeal (MYA) enables the United Nations Department of Political Affairs to secure resources for vital, yet unpredictable, aspects of its work. This 2016 Annual Report details some of the progress made possible through the very generous support of our partners. The report also highlights progress made under the goals and objectives of our 2016-2019 Strategic Plan.Bibliographic info:
Publisher: UN Dep of Political Affairs
pp:39

“Innocenti: 2016 Results Report.”
2016 saw significant achievements across all areas of Innocenti’s work, delivered by our committed team of researchers, analysts, and communications and operations specialists, working in collaboration with a wide range of partners. Evidence of the impact of our research and its uptake within and beyond the organization is visible at multiple levels – from the work of country and regional offices, to influence on government policies and global debates, incorporating children or child-related concerns into academic research and policy.Bibliographic info:
Publisher: UNICEF Office of Research
ISBN: 978-88-6522-053-5

“Averting risks to the food chain – A compendium of proven emergency prevention methods and tools.”
FAO with its partners developed a set of tools to monitor transboundary threats, such as the Desert Locust Information Service, the Global Early Warning System for animal diseases, the Food Chaim Crisis forecasting tool, the EMPRES-i Global Animal Disease Information System, and several others. FAO is using new technologies to report and predict threats using GIS, risk modelling and mobile phone applications. FAO also manages transboundary threats through contingency planning, zoning and information on regional movement of products, animals and plants, vaccination, environmentally sound control technologies, and integrated pest management.Bibliographic info:
Publisher: FAO
ISBN: 978-92-5-109539-3
pp: 103

“Skills for Life + Appropriate Technology for Children and Youth in Emergencies: Trainer Guide.”
Research has shown that young people in schools benefit from special programmes that teach life skills. This manual does more than teach life skills, it provides training on how to make useful items from recycled items using appropriate technology. These items will help children and youth during emergencies to live a healthy and happy life.Bibliographic info:
Publisher: UNESCO
pp: 61

“Human Development Report 2016 Human Development for Everyone.”
The report finds that although average human development improved significantly across all regions from 1990 to 2015, one in three people worldwide continue to live in low levels of human development as measured by the Human Development Index (HDI). The HDI is a summary measure of average achievement in key dimensions of human development: having a long and healthy life, being knowledgeable, and enjoying a decent standard of living.Bibliographic info:
Publisher: UNDP
ISBN: 978-92-1-060036-1
pp. 271

“The Rights of indigenous peoples in Asia.”
This report seeks to draw a realistic picture of major trends and challenges, and identifies important new opportunities in the framework of the new global agendas on sustainable development and climate action, which call for specific attention regarding the rights and concerns of indigenous peoples.Bibliographic info:
Publisher: ILO
ISBN: 978-92-2-130490-6
pp.88SUMMARY

“Working anytime, anywhere: The effects on the world of work.”
This report considers the impact of telework/ICT-mobile work on the world of work. It synthesises research carried out by Eurofound’s network of European correspondents and ILO country experts. The incidence of T/ICTM is related not only to technological developments in different countries but also to existing economic structures and cultures of work. The report also classifies T/ICTM employees in relation to their place of work (home, office or another location) and the intensity and frequency of their work using ICT outside the employer’s premises.Bibliographic info:
Publisher: ILO, Eurofound
ISBN: 978-92-2-130472-2
pp. 72